New York History Day

After the creation of my iBook based on the history of my town in Somers, NY, I was introduced to a state competition known as NY History Day. For this contest, I created a website based on the life of Master Commandant Richard Somers, a famous war hero who tragically died in a dangerous naval operation.

homepage

early years

Richard Somers was born on September 15, 1778 in Great Egg Harbor, NJ. His father was a friend of General George Washington and a member of the Colonial Congress. At the age of twelve, he was orphaned and raised by his uncle.

barbary war

Somers' mission was to join the Mediterranean squadron under Commodore Edward Preble and fight in what became known as the First Barbary War. At the time, pirate fleets were seizing American merchant ships and holding them for ransom. President Thomas Jefferson refused to concede to the marauders' demands and instead sent the Navy to stop the attacks.

naval years

Somers was known as a quiet, reserved and honorable man. Early in his career, he was harassed by several sailors. Eager to defend his honor, he challenged the three midshipmen to a duel and arranged to fight them in succession.

heroism

With no easy way to defeat the pirates, Somers devised a plan to build a fire ship filled with barrels of gunpowder. Once the vessel was close enough to the anchored pirate fleet, the crew’s plan was to ignite the ship and hopefully destroy the enemy with the explosion. The crew bravely sailed into Tripoli harbor but tragically, the ship exploded before it could inflict damage upon the enemy.

richard somers today

The remains of Richard Somers and his fellow crew members rest in the Old Protestant Cemetery in Tripoli, Libya. There have been repeated attempts to repatriate these fallen soldiers. However, efforts to bring them home have become the subject of political dispute.

The memory of Richard Somers has been honored by the United States Navy on several occasions in the years since his death. In 1842, a brig ship was christened with the name Somers at the New York Navy Yard. Interestingly, this ship has its own fascinating history in that it is the only vessel in the United States Navy to have undergone a mutiny that led to multiple executions.

process paper

(250 Word Limit)

1. How did I choose my topic?

After researching several topics to submit for New York History Day, I decided to choose someone who was unique and significant within my own town of Somers, New York. I had always known that Richard Somers was an important figure in my community but I never understood the extent of his bravery and depth of his character.

2. How did I conduct my research?

I utilized three primary methods to conduct my research. Initially, I searched the Internet for trustworthy sources and found websites containing interesting information regarding his life and adventures. I also visited the Somers Historical Society and discussed my interest in Richard Somers. The trustees provided me with additional information regarding his life. Finally, I used LinkedIn to contact a Colonel in the United States Army who was stationed in Tripoli, Libya for several years. He was kind enough to provide me with primary source material in the form of photographs that he took of Richard Somers’ final resting place.

3. How did I select my presentation category and project?

There were two influences that led to my selection of the the website format. The first was that I am currently the Webmaster for Boy Scout Troop 228 in Somers, New York. The role requires me to use my developer skills to organize events and record troop activities. The second was that I based my Eagle Scout Project on technology as a platform for education. I created an iBook app focused on the history of my town in Somers, New York. It will be used on iPads by my school district to teach students about the many historical sites within my town.

4. How does my project relate to the theme?

Against unfavorable odds, Richard Somers took a stand for freedom. His bold plan was to combat the piracy and terrorism that plagued the high seas of North Africa during that time. Ships were routinely intercepted by pirates, their cargo was confiscated and crews were held for ransom. Richard Somers’ strong character and sense of ethics drove him to fight against these unjust and inhumane actions.

Richard Somers courageously volunteered, along with twelve other brave young men, to take decisive action in an attempt to nullify the Barbary fleet within the well fortified harbor of Tripoli, Libya. His chances of success were slim, however, his sense of duty to his fellow man motivated him to take action.

On September 4, 1804, Richard Somers sailed into Tripoli harbor under the cover of darkness loaded with one-hundred pounds of gunpowder and shrapnel. He lost his life in an a tragic explosion before he could escape while serving the greater cause of freedom.

bibliography

1. Cooper, J. Fenimore. Lives of Distinguished American Naval Officers. Vol. 1. Philadelphia: n.p., 1846. Print.


2. Kelly, Bill. "Remember the Intrepid." Remember the Intrepid. N.p., 16 Apr. 2011. Web.


3. Melton, Buckner F. A Hanging Offense: The Strange Affair of the Warship Somers. New York: Free Press, 2003. Print.


4. Naval Institute Proceedings. Vol. 35. N.p.: United States Naval Institute, n.d. Print.


5. Somers Historical Society. "Master Commandant Richard Somers." Richard Somers. Weebly, n.d. Web.


6. Spahr, Rob. "Sen. John McCain Blocks Return of the Body of Richard Somers, Namesake of Somers Point." The Press of Atlantic City. N.p., 24 Dec. 2011. Web.


7. "Twelve Naval Captains - Richard Somers." Heritage History. N.p., n.d. Web.

terms

Barbary: 
A term used by Europeans from the 16th to the 19th century to refer to the coastline of North Africa, a region inhabited by the Berber people.


Brig Ship:
A sailing ship distinguished by two square-rigged masts.


Fire-Ship:
Typically a wooden ship filled with flammable material that is steered toward an enemy fleet.


Midshipmen:
A student cadet-in-training within the US Navy.


Repatriate:
To return someone to their own country.


Schooner:
A small ship with two or more masts.